French blogger Beatrice Colbrant posted a review of the current production of Phoenix at the Phoenix Artist Club in London’s West End.

And for you non-polyglots, I’ve translated it below. Enjoy!

 _____________________________________________________________

PHOENIX: NICK DRAKE RISES FROM THE ASHES IN LONDON

Phoenix, the work of the American author Don Fried, which is now being presented at the Phoenix Artist Club in London, is a succession of amazing discoveries. First, there’s no relationship between the title of the piece and the name of the location; it’s purely coincidence. And the intimate venue, not far from Soho and Chinatown and two steps from Tottenham Court Road, is a very good choice for this mesmerizing work.

Phoenix is a play inspired by the life of British singer Nick Drake (1948-1974), whose original and little-known career was interrupted by a tragic, premature death at age 26 from an overdose of prescription drugs brought on by depression caused by drug-taking. Whether his death was accidental or suicide remains uncertain.

At a time when Mick Jagger wriggled on stage in provocative and dramatic contortions to wild music, Drake, with his sweet, almost whispered androgynous voice, sang romantic ballads, leading his audience to a world of nostalgia and sweetness.

Images and videos of this secret artist are few; only a few albums have survived. After you discover him, you won’t be able to do without this tender voice with a unique timbre, unexpected and necessary.

That’s how the life of this fascinating character is presented by Second Skin Theatre Company under the leadership of its Artistic Director, Andy McQuade, who also directed the play.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW AND TO SEE IT IN THE ORIGINAL FRENCH